Bangladesh and Pakistan head to Dhaka decider with ODI series on the line
After two wildly different results, Bangladesh and Pakistan head into Sunday’s third ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka with the series level at 1-1 and everything to play for.
Bangladesh tore through Pakistan in the opener, winning by eight wickets behind a devastating five-wicket haul from Nahid Rana (5/24). Pakistan hit back hard in the second match, posting 274 before bowling Bangladesh out for 114 in a rain-affected contest to win by 128 runs on DLS. The decider starts at 1:45 PM IST.
Nahid Rana vs Pakistan’s batting revival
The first two games told different stories about Pakistan’s ability to handle genuine pace. In the opener, Rana ran through their top order, bowling above 140 km/h consistently and touching 150 km/h at times. The 23-year-old right-armer has taken six wickets across the two matches, and Bangladesh will look to him again on a Mirpur surface that has offered something for the seamers.
Pakistan’s response in the second ODI came from Maaz Sadaqat, who smashed 75 off 46 balls with six fours and five sixes and also chipped in with three wickets. His all-round display earned him the player of the match award. Salman Ali Agha added a composed 64 off 62, while Mohammad Rizwan contributed 44.
Spinners could decide it
The Mirpur pitch played differently across the two games, offering seam movement in the first ODI before flattening out into more of a batting surface in the second. Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz has taken five wickets in two innings with his off-spin, and if the surface offers any turn on Sunday, Pakistan could be in trouble.
On the bowling front, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Sadaqat have all taken three wickets apiece in the series for Pakistan. Afridi will lead the attack again, looking to exploit the overhead conditions in Dhaka, where cloud cover and dew have played a role throughout.
World Cup preparation in play
Both teams are treating this series as groundwork for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Bangladesh need wins at home to build momentum ahead of a busy calendar, while Pakistan are looking to stabilize after a turbulent few months that saw wholesale changes to their white-ball setup.
Tanzid Hasan has been Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the series with 80 across two innings, including an unbeaten 67 in the first ODI that anchored the chase. For Pakistan, the focus will be on their openers providing a platform. Sadaqat and Sahibzada Farhan put on a fast start in the second match, and more of the same would take pressure off the middle order.
